Campaign to save Fairview Park trees claims success

Just 10 of 64 trees which were originally planned to be felled will now go, group says

Trees lining the roadway at Fairview park, which were earmarked for felling by Dublin City Council to make way for a cycle path. Photograph: Dave Meehan/The Irish Times

A campaign to save trees in Dublin’s Fairview Park has claimed victory after efforts, bolstered by 15,000 local signatures, appear to have paid off, organisers said.

The “Save Fairview Trees” initiative had been inspired to act when it emerged a planned cycle route running through the area, threatened 64 trees in its path.

On Tuesday, the group said Dublin City Council had proposed an amendment to the Clontarf to City Centre Route which will see most of the trees retained.

Just 10 are now to be removed.

“It shows that people power can work when a serious wrong is being proposed,” said Edel Leahy, a resident of Marino, which borders the park.

The group said the campaign drew support from the local business community, cyclist lobby groups, a number of local politicians and residents of Fairview, Marino, Clontarf, Ballybough, North Strand and Clontarf.

“Officials have now to go back to the drawing board and present a plan that will be accepted by all interest groups,” said local councillor Nial Ring, one of those who supported the objections.

“The safety of cyclists, the retention of the facilities in Fairview Park for the local community and ensuring that whatever plan is agreed will not impact on local businesses must be the criteria for any new proposal,” he said.